Spring is the time when many small and mid sized breweries roll out their new lines of beer, often with a seasonal twist.
This is the time of year when traditionally, Bavarian beer gardens would begin to open again, and many of the selections available reflect this trend. The traditional beer of spring is a bock, a lager that has been around for nearly seven hundred years. This German beverage would be brewed in the fall when the barley and hops were at their finest, kept cool through the winter, and tapped in the spring. Though bocks are quite popular in Germany, and there are several different kinds – including maibocks and doppelbocks – they have not quite caught on in America yet. That being said, there are several of good choices for spring beers in the States.
Samuel Adams Double Bock
Every year, sometime between January and March, Samuel Adams releases their German style doppelbock – Samuel Adams Double Bock. This rich, full bodied beer has a robust malty taste and goes well with (or on) beef, or by itself. It has a hefty 8.8 ABV, so take it easy, but in general, this is a good beer to enjoy with dinner or by itself.
Sierra Nevada ESB
Another popular spring beer is Sierra Nevada ESB. Lighter than the double bock, Sierra Nevada ESB has good drinkability and a distinctive hoppy taste. Easy to enjoy, this beer evokes many of the tastes and aromas of spring. Not Sierra Nevada’s best beer, you could still do far worse than to enjoy this beer on a hot spring day.
Samuel Adams White Ale
There is another Samuel Adams beer that deserves mention – Samuel Adams White Ale. While this beer has received mixed reviews in terms of quality, there is general agreement that its light citrus taste and great drinkability make it a fantastic beer for warm spring days.
This is just a sampling of the beers available in springtime, and likely doesn’t include the best ones. For those, check out your local breweries. Call and ask if they’re brewing up something special for spring – you might find a hidden treasure. Also, be on the lookout for spring beer festivals, where small breweries will gather to show off and compare their spring brews. It’s a new year and a new season, so make sure you’re drinking the right beer to go with it.
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